Convertible ski



R. J. MEEHAN CONVERTIBLE SKI Oct. 25, 1949.v

Filed Dec.

:als l5 19204 :Fig.5.

Inventor Reginald J. Meehan Patented Cet. 25, 1949 UNITED., STATES PATENroFFIcE Reginald J. Meehan, East Hartford, Conn.

Application December 16, 1946, Serial No. 716,575

2 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful irnprovements and structural reiinements in skis, and the principal object of the invention is to provide a convertible ski of the character herein described which may be used on snow inthe conventional manner and yet, which may be quickly and easily converted for use on dry land, gymnasium floor, or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a convertible ski which, by virtue of its double use, will provide a source of interesting amusement and recreation, as well as offer eifective exercising means for the instruction and training of physically handicapped persons.

Another object of the invention is to provide a convertible ski which may be used on snow in the conventional, well-known manner, and which, when used on dry ground, will considerably assist the user in maintaining his balance and preserving his self-coniidence, which, in the instance of physically handicapped persons, is of primary importance.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a convertible ski which is simple in construction, which will not easily become damaged, and which will readily lend itself to economical manufacture.

With the above more important objects in view, and such other objects as may become apparent as this specification proceeds, the invention consists essentially of the arrangement and construction of parts as illustrated in the accompanylng drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 3-3 in Figure 2:

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 4-4 in Figure 2; and,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the subject shown in Figure 3, but illustrating a cover plate in substitution for a running assembly, both of which constitute component parts of the invention and will be hereinafter more fully described.

Like characters of reference are used to designate like parts in the specication and throughout the several views.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, the invention consists of a convertible ski designated generally by the reference characte'r I0, the same embodying in its construction an elongated runner II of more or less conven- 2 i i tional design, provided with an upturnedI for-` ward end portion I2 and formed medially of its length with a relatively thickened portion I3.

'Ihe thickened portion I3 is provided in the undersurface thereof with an elongatedfrecess I4 and a running assembly designated generally by the reference character I5 is removably receivable in this recess, as will be presently described.

The assembly I5 comprises a rectangular frame I6 provided at the lower edge thereof with outturned marginal flanges I'I, and removably secured in the recess I4 by means of suitable bolts or screws I8.

A plurality of transversely extending rollers I 9 are rotatably mounted in the frame I6, each of the rollers consisting of a length of tubing provided in the ends thereof with a pair of suitable ball or roller bearings 20. The bearings of each roller are mounted upon a transversely extending shaft 2l, the several shafts being carried by the longitudinal members of the frame I6, as is best shown in Figure 3 and 4.

It will be noted that the lower portions of the rollers I9 project below the underside of the runner II, and when the invention is placed in use on dry land, a gymnasium iloor, or the like, the device simply rolls along the floor, as will be clearly understood. Attention is particularly directed to the stability of the ski used in this manner, since unlike a roller skate and other similar devices, the runner, by virtue of its length, will effectively prevent the user from falling forward or backward.

When it is desired to use the ski in the conventional manner on snow, the entire running assembly l5 may be removed from the recess I4 by simply removing the screws I8, and a cover plate 22, provided with upstanding flanges 23, may be removably secured in the recess I4 by means of the same screws I8, as is indicated in Figure 5.

The plate 22 is flush with the undersurface of the runner I I, and by virtue thereof, the ski may be eifectively employed on snow, in the conventional well-known manner.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the running assembly I5 and the cover plate 22 yare adapted for selective and exclusive association with the runner I I, whereby the ski may be easily and quickly converted from its conventional use on snow to its alternative use on dry land.

It is believed that the advantages and use of the invention will be clearly apparent from the foregoing disclosure and accordingly, further description thereof at this point is considered unnecessary.

While in the foregoing there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of this invention it is to be understood that minor changes in the details of construction, combination and arran-gement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A convertible ski comprising an elongated runner having a straight flat undersurface and an upwardly arcuated nose "portion at one end thereof, the end portions of said runner beingV free from all encumbrances, protuberances and recesses, the intermediate portion of said runner being thickened with respect to said end p'ortions and being formed in the underside thereof with a, longitudinally extending rectangular re-V cess, a roller unit comprising an elongated frame and a set of spaced parallel rollers rotatably mounted in tandem in said frame, and a ller piece, said roller unit and said ller piece being selectively and exclusively securable in said rectanular recess.

2. A roller ski comprising an elongated runner having an upwardly arcuated nose portion at one end thereof, the end portions of said runner being free from all encumbrances, protuberances and recesses, the intermediate portion of said runner being thickened with respect to said end portions and being formed in the underside thereof with a longitudinally extending rectangular recess, and a set of spaced parallel rollers rotatably mounted in tandem in said recess, lower portions of said rollers projecting below the undersurface of said runner.

REGINALD J. MEEHAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the I'lle of this patent: UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,253,012 Benner etal. Aug. 19, 1941 2,403,885 Thompson July 9, 1,9246

FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 36,572 Denmark Sept.v 20, 1926 363,083 Italy Sept.' 17, 1938 

